The weather has cooled off and the local venues are hiding their breakables and scrambling to stock their walk-ins with cheap beer. This could only mean one thing in Gainesville–FEST 11 is around the corner. For the thousands of punks ascending on our dear city this weekend, we have a little treat for you. We got together with our pals POST TEENS and those lovable punks MAUSER to do a FEST 11 exclusive split flexi. POST TEENS contributed a brand new track, “Strapped in”, while MAUSER turned in their brutal cover of bombanfall’s “Mot En Stralande Framtid.” Two short little bursts of fury on one flexible record. Artwork was crafted by Mauser’s always tasteful and eloquent Adrian Rierson. There will be 500 of them and they will be available Friday at the Sound Study Recordings table in the Flea Market during registration as well as Arrow’s Aim Records all weekend.

Incessant troubadours CITY OF SHIPS, recharged and revitalized are once again set to embark on a monster cross continental tour. The commanding trio are set to bring their thunderous live show to Canada, the US and Australia this July and August. The Ships are out in support of their latest effort, Minor World, an album that was met with critical adoration–rightfully called a “masterpiece” by Alternative Press and “the kind of effort that pushes the band closer to “they can do no wrong” status” by Absolutepunk.net.

To celebrate the band’s pilgrimage, we’ve got a few treats in store for COS fans. First up, we are temporarily lowering the price of Minor World on 210 gram (that’s as heavy as it gets folks) vinyl to just $7. The record can be purchased for that discounted price HERE. Secondly, we are running a contest with our good friends at Modern Vinyl to give away a couple copies of the LP. Head over to modern-vinyl.com to enter. As a final gift, COS’ two previous works released by Sound Study Recordings, Look What God Did To Us LP and the follow up Three Mile Bridge 7″ and both available for FREE digital download right HERE

After a short break from their relentless tour schedule our good buddies and tireless road-dogs, City of Ships, will return to the road in late July with a trip down under. The Australian tour marks band’s first outing to the continent and will feature friends and frequent tour mates Rosetta as well as Brisbane’s own Nuclear Summer. The Ships are out supporting their most recent effort, 2011’s acclaimed full length, Minor World, an album co-released by Sound Study Recordings and Translations Loss Records. You can pick up that record on 210 gram vinyl for just $10 HERE.

City of Ships also recently announced that their 2009 LP, Look What God Did to Us, is now available for free digital download HERE.

Valdosta, GA transplant Bobby Brown has taken on second guitar on duties for Gainesville grunge enthusiasts, THE FUTURE NOW. When not holding down the second part of TFN’s guitarmonies, Bobby drums for Gainesville brethren, CHRIS WOLLARD & THE SHIP THIEVES. The band unveiled their new line-up last weekend with a performance at The Atlantic with Cheap Girls and The Menzingers. Their latest effort is the “Hangman b/w The Runaway” 7″, a record co-released by SOUND STUDY RECORDINGS and KISS OF DEATH RECORDS. THE FUTURE NOW will take their expanded show on the road in June with friends HAWKS AND DOVES for a jaunt up and down the East Coast (dates soon!) and will play FEST 11 in Gainesville. The band’s new 7″ and debut full length, Hazy Orange Sunday, can be downloaded digitally completely free here and here.